Checkers Strategy: Iran’s Approach in the Geopolitical Game of the Middle East - by Dr. Babak Shafiee

Source: Pakistantoday

Iran’s Approach in the Geopolitical Game of the Middle East

Dr. Babak Shafiee

PhD in Geopolitics, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

The Middle East has emerged as a complex checkers board in recent years, where Iran, leveraging a strategy rooted in its cultural and historical legacy, plays a pivotal role in orchestrating the grand game of power. Checkers, a strategic game possibly invented or refined during the era of Nader Shah Afshar (1688–1747), is far more than mere entertainment; it reflects the tactical brilliance of Iranians, emphasizing patience, precise calculation, and the exploitation of fleeting opportunities for decisive leaps. Recent developments—such as the activation of the snapback mechanism by European countries, Israel’s actions in the region, and the strengthening of alternative alliances like the India-UAE partnership and the Saudi Arabia-Pakistan mutual defense pact—are all components of a broader strategy aimed at undermining Iran’s geopolitical position. Yet, Iran, through its checkers-inspired strategy, has transformed these challenges into opportunities to bolster its standing.

Snapback and the Violation of Checkers’ Rule of Patience 

The activation of the snapback mechanism by European countries on August 28, 2025, exemplifies a hasty move that, in the logic of checkers, creates openings for the opponent. Designed to pressure Iran, this action has instead exposed Europe’s own economic and political pieces to Iran’s calculated counter-moves. Over the years, Iran has developed alternative markets, parallel payment networks, and new trade routes, significantly enhancing its resilient economy to mitigate the impact of sanctions. Moreover, shifts in the international system and the rise of new power blocs have diminished the efficacy of unilateral Western sanctions. By capitalizing on these dynamics, Iran has not only neutralized the pressure of sanctions but also positioned new pieces on the geopolitical board through innovative trade pathways.

Israel’s Actions: A Fizzle Rather Than a Firework 

Israel’s recent operation in Qatar, accompanied by extensive media fanfare, proved more of a fleeting spectacle than a strategic success. Far from achieving its stated objectives, the operation—marked by violations of Arab states’ sovereignty—further isolated Israel and fueled regional discontent. The sharp reaction from Donald Trump, informed only minutes before the operation by the U.S. military, underscores the deepening rifts within the Washington-Tel Aviv axis. Israel’s declining intelligence and operational effectiveness, coupled with its failure to eliminate Hamas leaders, has weakened its credibility as a reliable Western ally. These developments have rendered Israel’s pieces on the checkers board increasingly vulnerable, creating opportunities for Iran to strengthen its position through the axis of resistance.

Alternative Alliances and Inherent Challenges 

The India-UAE partnership, with trade exceeding $100 billion and a focus on nuclear energy, forms part of the West’s strategy to establish alternative regional hubs to diminish Iran’s geopolitical significance. Framed within the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor, this initiative seeks to bypass Iran. However, Iran’s unique geographic position and vast energy resources render such efforts unsustainable. The corridor’s dependence on regional political stability and coordination among multiple states exposes its inherent vulnerabilities. Similarly, the Saudi Arabia-Pakistan mutual defense pact, signed on September 17, 2025, reflects both a declining trust in U.S. security guarantees and an attempt to counterbalance Iran’s influence. Yet, this pact also opens new opportunities for Iran. Improving Iran-Saudi relations and Iran’s relatively positive ties with Pakistan could moderate regional power dynamics in Iran’s favor.

Waning Western Influence and Israel’s Decline 

Recent developments highlight the diminishing influence of the U.S. and the West in the Middle East, as regional states increasingly pursue independent security and economic arrangements. Israel, once a key Western outpost, now faces internal challenges, operational setbacks in Gaza, and declining international support, signaling the onset of its gradual marginalization. In contrast, Iran has fortified its position by deepening ties with China and Russia, advancing the axis of resistance, and making strides in missile and nuclear capabilities, positioning its pieces for long-term strategic leaps.

Iran’s Strategy: The Master of Checkers in the Middle East 

In this geopolitical game, Iran operates with the precision of a checkers grandmaster, turning every move into an opportunity to strengthen its position. Its resilient economy, advancements in cutting-edge technologies, and diversification of international partnerships—extending to Africa and Latin America—have prepared Iran’s pieces for strategic jumps. Leveraging its cultural and historical assets to enhance soft power further bolsters Iran’s global image. Sanctions like snapback, intended to encircle Iran, have instead been transformed into opportunities for innovation and the expansion of trade routes.

Conclusion 

The Middle East today is a stage where Iran, guided by the checkers strategy of Nader Shah, redefines the rules of the power game with patience, precision, and calculated leaps. The West’s two-decade effort to create a “Middle East without Iran” has not only failed but has elevated Iran to a player that sets the board’s rules. Through a blend of resilience, innovation, and active diplomacy, Iran is paving its path to regional dominance, systematically removing its opponents’ pieces from the board.